Head of Estates & Facilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities

The Head of Estates & Facilities is responsible for providing operational oversight of the Hospice estate, facilities management, health & safety, security and compliance functions across all Hospice and retail locations.

The postholder will ensure the organisation maintains full statutory compliance, delivers a safe and secure environment for patients, visitors, staff and volunteers, and develops a culture of continuous improvement in health, safety and facilities management

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the Hospice Estates, Facilities and Health & Safety Strategy.
• Provide expert advice to the Director of Finance & Performance on estates, facilities and health & safety matters.
• Lead the development of a positive organisational health and safety culture.
• Develop long-term estate asset management and sustainability plans.
• Assist with the Identification of future infrastructure, compliance and property investment requirements.
• Ensure estate development supports organisational growth and strategic objectives.

Governance & Compliance

• Act as organisational lead for Health & Safety.
• Provide assurance that all statutory compliance obligations are met.
• Establish robust governance arrangements for estates and health & safety compliance.
• Lead organisational compliance in relation to:
  • Fire Safety
  • Legionella
  • Asbestos
  • Electrical Safety
  • Gas Safety
  • LOLER
  • PUWER
  • COSHH
  • Health & Safety legislation
     
• Lead incident investigation processes and ensure organisational learning is embedded.
• Present compliance reports, risk assessments and performance metrics to the Director of Finance & Performance.

Risk Management

• Lead the identification, assessment and mitigation of estate and health & safety risks.
• Maintain the organisational Estates and Health & Safety Risk Register.
• Ensure business continuity arrangements are in place for critical estate infrastructure.
• Lead responses to significant facilities, compliance or safety incidents.

Estates & Facilities Management

• Provide operational oversight of planned and reactive maintenance programmes.
• Ensure the estate remains safe, compliant, sustainable and fit for purpose.
• Assist with capital development and lead estate improvement projects.
• Oversee security systems, access control and physical security arrangements.
• Ensure facilities services are delivered efficiently across all Hospice and retail locations.

Financial & Commercial Management

• Assist with the development and manage revenue and capital budgets.
• Identify opportunities for efficiencies and value for money.
• Lead procurement and contract management activities.
• Negotiate and monitor key supplier and contractor agreements.
• Contribute to business cases and funding applications for estate developments.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, develop and inspire the Facilities and Estates team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service and continuous improvement.
• Lead workforce planning, succession planning and professional development.
• Ensure volunteers are effectively integrated and supported.

Sustainability

• Lead environmental sustainability initiatives.
• Develop plans to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
• Promote environmentally responsible estate management practices.
• Support organisational sustainability objectives.

Qualifications, Skills, Experience, Knowledge & Approach

• NEBOSH National Diploma (or equivalent Level 6 H&S qualification).
• Proven experience in estates, facilities or maintenance environment
• Strong practical, hands-on maintenance skills
• Experience managing or coordinating maintenance activity
• Experience working with contractors
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions
• Knowledge of health and safety compliance requirements, including correct use of PPE, COSHH, Manual Handling, Legionella, Risk Assessments etc
• Recruitment, coaching and development of Estates team and our volunteers
• Ability to lead, motivate, and manage a diverse team of volunteers effectively i.e. with varying motivation, age, gender, and physical and mental capacities
• Knowledge of environmental sustainability and organic gardening methods i.e. composting, upcycling, water saving
• Maintaining a large and varied Estate to a high standard, including grounds, structures and buildings
• Proficiency in operating various tools and powered equipment
• Training others on maintenance techniques and safe use of equipment
• Knowledge of plant, lawn and meadow maintenance
• Monitor and address hazards such as severe weather conditions like heatwaves, snow, ice, and remove litter to ensure safety of visitors, volunteers and staff
• A member of the Hospice Health & Safety Committee and the Capital Sub - Committee
• Proficiency in operating various garden tools and powered equipment